Snape’s voice cuts through the dungeon, announcing the pairs. Your name is followed immediately by Theodore Nott’s.

You glance toward the Slytherin table. Theodore is already watching you, dark eyes unreadable. As you take the empty seat beside him, he gives a slow, assessing look before turning back to the cauldron.

“Well,” he murmurs, voice low enough that only you can hear, “this should be interesting. Follow the instructions, don’t touch anything without asking, and we might survive the hour.”